Our Response to the Coronavirus
[UPDATE] March 19, 2020 — As our leadership team was meeting about whether to meet again physically again this week, the County of San Bernardino made that decision for us. For at least the next 2 weeks, the “no more than 10” federal guideline became mandatory for the entire county. Therefore, we will not be meeting physically at the church, but we will be running online church at ColtonChurch.tv as usual.
March 13, 2020
There seems to be a lot of fear in America right now, especially in the light of COVID-19.
As the coronavirus continues to spread in the United States, churches have experienced growing concerns about the spread of the disease. The outbreak has caused nearly every religious organization around the world to rethink how it holds worship services, which typically involve people gathering in a confined space and coming into physical contact with each other.
And, although Maranatha is not a megachurch .. or even a standard-size church, for that matter … we are monitoring the latest news about the coronavirus just like you.
With updates coming at us all nearly each hour, we must all stay ever vigilant. Your church’s Executive Council has been monitoring the situation closely and met last night to discuss our church’s immediate response.
Specifically, I have had people ask:
Will we be having church tomorrow?
And the short answer is, “yes”.
As a church we exist to share a message of hope and assurance to a lost world, and we feel we must stay open whenever and however we can. In fact, in light of all that is happening, we must be more determined than ever to reach as many people as we can with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.
Of course, we will continue to offer our live services online at ColtonChurch.tv for those who can’t come, as we have for several years now.
Maranatha Community Church cares deeply about the safety of our guests, families and community. So we encourage those who have symptoms, such as fever, cough or runny nose, even if they are mild, to stay at home and recover fully instead of coming for service. We also thank you for your understanding that anyone with these symptoms will be asked to go home and rest, and to seek medical attention.
We also ask that those who are at greater risks of potentially getting very sick from this illness (i.e., seniors, people with serious chronic medical conditions or primary immune deficiency, etc.) not come to the church this weekend but watch it online instead.
This should not be a time of fear and anxiety, but of total reliance on God. So, I hope you will please join us this Saturday at church if you are healthy, or online if not.
Would you pray for our nation and for our leaders, pray for our healthcare providers, and for all of those in our country and around the world who are directly or indirectly affected by the coronavirus. Together, we must pray against not only the spread of the new coronavirus .. but the spread of fear of that virus as well!
Next week, we’ll let you know if we will be meeting together again, in person or online.
In the meantime, know that divine health and protection is from our Lord Jesus. And remember that God is still in control and larger than any pandemic we could ever face!
Pastor George
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
2018 Vacation Bible School (July 16-20)
This year’s program is SonTreasure Island, a week of treasure-hunting adventure in the Caribbean Islands! Through their adventures children will discover that God’s Love Is Giving, God’s Love Is Kind, God’s Love Is Caring, God’s Love Is Forgiving and God’s Love Is Forever!
We will have a great time with lively songs, creative crafts, exciting games, Bible stories and tasty snacks—all of the things that make Vacation Bible Camp so much fun for children. On top of that, we will be helping children learn about God’s amazing love.
If you know any parents of elementary age kids in the area, they can learn more and even pre-register at: http://coltonchurch.com/vbs/
Our SCSC Team is coming! (June 21)
Well, it is finally upon us … our 2018 SCSC team will soon be on their way to training and then arriving here in Colton June 21st. This means we are also in “preparation mode” now —
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We have lots of ministry activities planned for the team. But one of their favorite highlights each year is getting to meet Maranatha families one by one. If you would like to host the team for one or more fellowship meals with your family, please sign up here.
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The schedule of SCSC events is posted (and updated) here at our Calendar page. Want to know details about a particular event? Best to check on this page at the info will be updated real time.
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We have lots of ways to be involved as the team ministers alongside Maranatha regulars —
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We’re hosting an all-church welcome party Friday night, June 22.
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Right after our ministry job fair on June 23, the team will be attending the largest Christian concert in California – Spirit West Coast.
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Interested in serving the largest homeless population the United States? We’ll be at Union Rescue Mission July 1 and 2 (with a day trip to Los Angeles tourist spots to follow.)
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Want to celebrate and honor our hometown heroes? On the morning of July 4th we’ll be dropping by the area police and fire stations to thank them for serving us on what is a normal holiday for the rest of us.
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We’ll be taking a couple of weeks going door-to-door asking how our church can best serve our neighbors and inviting kids to our evening Vacation Bible Camp the week of July 16-19 … followed by a carnival in the park to cap it all off on Friday the 20th!
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The next day, the whole church will celebrate Sabbath afternoon with “Church at the Beach” with a beach baptism planned.
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Please pray God will use the 2018 SCSC Team in a mighty and miraculous way!
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